Supporting Multiculturalism

Justin: I’m a member of Phi Sigma Chi Fraternity Inc. Our fraternity was founded in 1996 at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) in Brooklyn, New York. It was founded by six students who wanted to create an organization dedicated to leadership, scholarship, and unity among men. We follow nine mission statements emphasizing education, brotherhood, and high social and moral standards. At our Lafayette chapter, we currently have eight members, with one abroad this semester.

Jaylene: I am a member of the Huitaca Chapter of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority Inc. (MSU). We were founded in 1981 at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. Our sorority was created by five women who wanted to establish a strong support system for multicultural women in higher education. We strive to create and promote a positive image of all women, regardless of race, religion, or creed, and we do this by fostering cultural awareness and unity. Our chapter at Lafayette was founded March 27, 2021, by four pioneering sisters: Alina Sosa ’22, Janely Correa ’21, Emily Morocho ’22, and Diane Allie ’23.

Justin: We provide mentorship, academic resources, and a strong sense of brotherhood. We also focus on leadership development and community service, helping students become future leaders while maintaining a strong support network. Our members are part of a global network, and we even have a chapter in Trinidad, where one of our brothers is currently studying abroad.

Jaylene: Mu Sigma Upsilon creates a welcoming space for women from all backgrounds. Our founding sisters faced challenges in establishing the first multicultural Greek organization on their campus, but they paved the way for others. We support students by promoting cultural awareness, providing mentorship, and fostering a deep sense of sisterhood. We aim to empower women and ensure that everyone feels included and valued.

Justin: We are aiming for insightful and continuous communication. Since we are the only multicultural fraternity and, along with MSU, the only two multicultural Greek Life organizations on campus, it’s more difficult to compete with more established fraternities and sororities, as they have more members. So we’re working on expansion. We have to continue to be a loud voice to grow our organization. 

Jaylene: We are also working on growing our membership on this campus. In addition, one of my main goals is to work with different organizations both on campus and outside of Lafayette’s campus. We have three core goals: unity amongst all women, being active on campus and in our community, and academic excellence. I want to hone in on being active at Lafayette and in the surrounding community, getting those networks and making connections with other organizations. Also, fostering the idea of what multiculturalism truly is on campus. Many people hear the word ‘multicultural’ but don’t fully understand what it entails for our organizations. Even though we are both multicultural, we may portray it in different ways while also having similarities. As president of our chapter, one of my key goals is to ensure that this understanding is clear to the campus community and beyond.

Justin: Representation matters. Many students from diverse backgrounds need a space where they can find mentorship, support, and people who understand their experiences. Multicultural Greek organizations fill that gap by fostering leadership, cultural pride, and academic excellence.

Jaylene: Exactly! Traditional Greek organizations may not always reflect the diversity of the student body, so multicultural Greek organizations offer students a chance to celebrate their heritage while forming strong connections. Our presence on campus helps promote inclusivity and provides students with valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Justin: Go for it! It’s a transformative experience that offers lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities, and a strong support system. Being part of Phi Sigma Chi has helped me grow in ways I never imagined.

Jaylene: Absolutely. Mu Sigma Upsilon is more than just a sorority—it’s a family. If you’re looking for a place where you can be yourself, embrace your culture, and make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity. You’ll gain invaluable skills, connections, and a sense of belonging.

Jaylene: Some students may assume that multicultural means one specific group, when in reality, it’s so much broader. For example, when a sister was tabling at an involvement fair, she started to explain that MSU is the first multicultural sorority, and someone walked away as soon as they heard the word ‘multicultural.’ That moment stuck with me because it showed that sometimes, students don’t take the time to understand what multicultural actually means. Students might look at our chapter and see just two of us on campus who identify as Latina and assume we are a Latina sorority. But Mu Sigma Upsilon has 70 undergraduate chapters nationwide, plus graduate chapters, and we are made up of women from all races, religions, ethnicities, and nationalities. Our founders were pushed to create a Latina sorority, but they chose to be multicultural to ensure that all women felt welcome. That’s an important part of our identity we always emphasize.

Justin: I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that fraternities are just about socializing. In Phi Sigma Chi, we are deeply committed to building a strong brotherhood and supporting each other academically and professionally. Through my organization, I’ve met people I would never have encountered otherwise, and they’ve become family. It’s more than friendship—it’s lifelong mentorship and networking. For example, I want to pursue a career in engineering, and one of our brothers, who has already established himself in the field, has been an incredible mentor to me. That kind of support system is invaluable in college and is something I think people don’t always associate with Greek life, especially multicultural Greek life.

Justin: Yes, our fraternity and Jaylene’s sorority have some exciting events in the works. One of the biggest ones is the Greek Swap, happening April 18. It’s going to be a multicultural showcase, and I’m looking forward to it. We like working with MSU because we share similar goals of expanding our membership and increasing awareness of multiculturalism on campus. Our fraternity and sorority mean a lot to us, so being able to spread our mission and educate others is very important.

Jaylene: The Greek Swap is going to be both educational and fun. At the beginning, we’ll have an educational session about what multiculturalism means and how our organizations represent that. We’ll also explain the significance of traditions like stepping, strolling, and saluting, which are sacred to multicultural Greek organizations. Then, we’ll do a showcase where members swap performances—we’ll try out Phi Sigma Chi’s steps and salutes, and they’ll do ours. It’s open to all students, and we’re also inviting other schools from the Lehigh Valley to join us. Additional information will be shared as we get closer to the event.

Justin: I appreciate the intense curriculum. I’m a mechanical engineer. The Engineering Division at Lafayette does an amazing job of teaching me what I need to learn. My favorite professors are in the Engineering Department. When I toured Lafayette, I became aware of the types of engineering projects that were available to students as well as the resources. I realized I could receive a great engineering education, which is something that really solidified my choice in Lafayette. I’m also a Posse student. Through that process, I visited other schools, and Lafayette stood out to me, especially because of its Engineering Department.

Jaylene: I toured Lafayette, and that’s when I fell in love with the school. It felt like home. It wasn’t like the other campuses I toured, which were so big! I am majoring in government & law and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies (WGSS). My classes are small, usually 10 or 15 students. I really like that. When I toured campus and saw the Kirby Hall of Civil Rights, I felt like I belonged here. I want to pursue a career in the legal field or criminal justice. I knew I wanted to major in government and law, but it wasn’t until I arrived that I became interested in WGSS, which I didn’t even know was an option until I came to Lafayette.

We can be reached directly at moralejm@lafayette.edu or huitaca@chapters.msu1981.org or follow our organizations on Instagram at @huitaca_msu and @laf_phimen.